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Having a Baby in China
Before the baby is born.
1. How do I choose a hospital?
A current list of hospitals and medical clinics with English speaking services is available by contacting the Consulate.
After the baby is born.
2. How do I get a birth certificate?
The hospital will issue you with a birth certificate.
To facilitate passport processing, please have the hospital write down both parent’s and child’s full English names on your baby’s Birth Certificate (exactly the same as on your Australian passport). If one of the parents is a Chinese national, please have the hospital record both the Chinese name and English Pinyin on the Birth Certificate.
3. Is my baby automatically an Australian citizen*?
No, you will need to apply for an Australian Citizenship by Descent Certificate through the Immigration Department (Visa Office) at the Australian Consulate.
This certificate is required before a passport can be issued.
*refer to note below
4. How do I apply for a passport for my baby?
You can apply for an Australian Passport at the Australian Consulate. See the Passport Section on this website for further information on applying for an Australian passport.
5. Does my child need a visa?
Yes, your child will need to obtain a visa.
The Consulate provides a letter when issuing passports to facilitate visa processing. According to Chinese visa regulations, foreign babies cannot exit China until they obtain a one-time Exit Visa.
Contact the Shanghai Public Security Office (Entry & Exit Administration Bureau) for further details:
Tel: (021) 2895 1900 or 2895 1306
Add: 1500 Minsheng Rd, Pudong, Shanghai
NOTE: Chinese and Australian laws governing citizenship differ.
Article 3 of The People’s Republic of China Nationality Law does not recognize dual nationality. Article 4 of The People’s Republic of China Nationality Law states that any person born in China whose parents are both Chinese nationals or one of whose parents is a Chinese national shall have Chinese nationality.
This may mean a child born to a Chinese national, regardless of their partner’s nationality, will automatically acquire Chinese citizenship and may experience problems when applying for a Chinese exit visa at some local Public Security Bureaus as the Chinese government does not recognise their Australian citizenship (even though Australia does).
For further details on this issue, please contact your local Public Security Bureau (Entry and Exit Administration Bureau).